State Senator Carroll Burling has proposed changing the state song from “Beautiful Nebraska” (which you can hear part of here, in this NPR story about the matter) to this Nashville pop-country bacon fat covered cheese fry of a ballad.Now we’re not saying this is the weightiest matter before the legislature.But it’s probably the easiest to get your head around.

Heck, note the near complete lack of, say, Omaha…Where’s North Omaha?Where’s South Omaha?Where are the meat packing plants?Where is the CWS? Creighton? Barrett's Barleycorn? The Q?Healthy Choice foods?(But we digress…)

And to help us put it all in perspective is former Nebraskan Thomas Irvin, who has posted his You Tube parody version of ten Bensel’s Hee-Haw diddy.Tom, you are a true hero.

So while Leavenworth Street may be coming to this discussion late, let it be known throughout the land:

This song sucks ass.

And if it becomes the State Song, Johnny Carson's soul will disown Nebraska.

50 NELSON: Because The Benator And Bright Eyes Is A Natural Combination

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) "has joined some singing celebrities" and recorded a song called "Western Town" for a fundraising CD. Sales of "Nebraska Celebrities Sing for Sight" will benefit the Nebraska Foundation for Visually Impaired Children. Nelson, in "a mellow baritone": "I'm from a western town in Nebraska. ... Don't know why I left so long ago." He "then confesses" that the town "lives in my heart and my soul." Among others on the CD: Conor Oberst from Bright Eyes (AP, 2/24). (Back to Contents)

Ginger is a piece of work...if she is not from another planet...she knows beings that are. Her interview with Tom Becka at the beginning of this fiasco provided much insight.

Actually it would have pleased me if our friends in the Unicameral would have spent the rest of the session discussing her request. The citizens of Nebraska would be better off and maybe save a few dollars in the process.

In the article by JoAnne Young -- another left-leaning LJS reporter -- most of Nantkes' constituents "would like to hear more from the 29-year-old Democrat ... to reassure them.

"They have questions about why she chose to drive after drinking, why she didn’t submit to the Breathalyzer or blood alcohol test when asked. They have concerns about whether she will be treated by the court system the same as they would, if it happened to them. And they want reassurance it won’t happen again. But so far, Nantkes isn’t saying anything more."

For the full story, go to http://journalstar.com/news/politics/doc45e4c1d760fbf791280331.txt

The stupidity of leaders is perhaps seen less in what they eventually do, than in the incredibly stupid things they routinely consider with a straight face. After all, time and harsh reality will force even the dimmest bulb to eventually see the light. This goes for crappy songs, for stumbling into Iraq, and other well-intended myopic nonsense.

So this discussion is the "reprieve" we get from talking about Hagel?

Sure. Let’s not have a homeboy possible presidential contender talk about issues. Let’s have Ben Nelson in bib overalls singing the theme from "Deliverance". It may help Nebraska voters forget that good old Ben ran for the war that he is now against.

I agree that the song doesn't incapsulate the whole state. I also believe that there is a really cool song from a local artist called NATALIE ILLEANA. She wrote a song about Grand Island. If you like local check this out!